Council Virtual Meetings to Continue

Lichfield District Council passes backing plan to continue streaming meetings.

13:40 16 October 2020

A motion to continue the online streaming of council meetings has been submitted to Lichfield District Council earlier this week. Councillors agreed to actively consider ways of integrating video conferencing nad online streaming of meetings even after Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted. 

 

Cllr Diane Evans, deputy leader of the opposition Labour group, said: “Virtual meetings open up so many opportunities for a much wider audience to view proceedings.

 

“They may also encourage a more diverse cross section of people to consider becoming councillors, including young parents or guardians, commuters, shift workers and those with a disability, but Cllr Cross seemed to imply we should carry on in the old manner of conducting meetings at the council, without any consideration given to the advantages of using modern technology.

 

Conservative councillor Liz Little, who backs the motion, said: “Being a new mother, with full time work and a councillor, I welcome this motion.

 

“It will hopefully bring us a diverse mix of councillors going forward.”

 

Fellow new parent, Cllr Wai-Lee Ho, said embracing online technology had allowed him to continue to carry out his role.

 

He said: “I am also a parent who had a daughter back in April and it has made it a lot easier for me to perform my councillor and parent duties as well.”